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Friday, August 29, 2014

I just want to take a moment and thank
everyone who has helped me reach this stage of my career. I do this from time
to time but this year has been especially huge. There are the usual suspects
Missy and Pam. And while I mention them often it bears repeating that it wasn’t
just a miracle that I got here. It is due in no small part to Missy’s
never-ending source of compassion, steadying hand when I might fly off into the
ether and creative collaboration that I survived the past, stayed with
treatment and sat my butt down in the chair to write every day. Some it crap,
some of it promising. All the while developing my voice away from the prying
and unforgiving eyes of the world. To Pam who opened my eyes to the world of
ebook publishing and introducing me into the world fandom and conventions. Plus
always being there for me when I either needed this or that for my films. She’s
filled in the blanks when Missy was unable to. Both of them taking me to doctor
appointments and paying for medication whenever I couldn’t. Missy is the sister
I never had and always wanted. And Pam the kind of friend I never expected and
perhaps didn’t deserve. But these equally talented writers and filmmakers have
been the source of healing and though not every day with them is perfect it is
that imperfection that I find the strength to sit down and write.

Then there are my publishers who have
supported me and had my back from the beginning. Starting with Lea Schizas who
gave me my big break with Another Way to Die and accepted my second and third
stories in 2011. All of which went on to be award winners. And GLADIATOR going
on to be my first Amazon Bestseller. Then Frank Hall, formerly of Hydra
Publications ed who gave my first break in print, Bounty Hunter. It became my
second bestseller and screenplay Missy and I have adapted on it has gone on to
win two different awards so far. Dave Mattingly for publishing Gemini’s War, my
first 60K book. Which went on to become my third betseller. And back to Hydra
and it’s new publisher, Tony Acree, a brilliant writer and marketer, whose
business acumen rewarded my faith in him when Bounty Hunter returned to print,
and my three shorts two of which were co-written with Missy went on to become
my 4th, 5th, and 6th bestsellers.

And finally to my long time editors and
cover artist, Greta, Tanja, Ana and Delilah, you all made me look very good and
helped my books become what they have while building me a small, but very loyal
readership.

Stephen Zimmer, who made my dreams come
true by making Letters to Daniel the documentary its premiere event at
Imaginarium. Who allowed me a place at the Con Community table in 2011 at
Sweatfest. A person who still amazes me with his energy and ability to write,
promote, run a publishing house, help with literary tracks at other Cons to
creating Imaginarium, a literary con with a film festival that honors its
screenwriters. I thank you as a lot of these things come to me as a result from
attending that first Con in 2011.

And finally to Ray and Kristina at Indie
Gathering where biggest breakthrough in my film career yet has come. 4 screenwriting
awards. 1 film award. A connection to Brian Boyd a talented actor producer who
I hope to be able to afford one day which led me to John Iwasz and a paid screenwriting
gig. Chance encounters with Nicholas Mackey the actor wearing the dude abides t-shirt
and JoAnna Lloyd and Tim Hale actors that came by my convention table. All of
whom are going to be in my short film Rain Down On Me. One of which has
provided the budget for the film to get made.

I’ve got a TV Pilot and Web Series pilot
written. I’m working on the Gladiator Chronicles adaptation feature screenplay.
Plan to write a TV Pilot based on Gunpowder and Lead and a feature adaptation
of Gemini’s War.

My current novel is The Power of
Goodbye. All good things come from a lot of hard work, helping hands and a
pinch of luck, or as Missy puts it, the golden horseshoe shoved up my ass.

And of course your work inspires me to
do my best work. I don’t know if our paths will ever cross, but as you know I
will be here at this blog telling my story in hopes that it will inspire others
out of their darkness and yours did me. Oh and special s/o to Maurice Benard
you inspired me to walk through that mental health care clinic and get
evaluated. A move that in no small part saved my life and made this life
possible.

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

I come to you bursting at the seams with
joy and pride, first of all, the proof of my triumph at The International Indie
Gathering. A film festival and convention that for me, at least lived up to all
the hype and made the desperate struggle to get there completely worth it in
the end.

I have worked hard for a moment like
what IG offered me. The only drawback was Missy was not there to network and
revel in the success like I was. Right down to the moment where I was interviewed
by the Reel Network’s Kristina Michelle and felt ‘discovered’ by independent
producer Brian Boyd at my convention table where I was selling copies of
Letters to Daniel Volumes 1 & 2 and the documentary.

I scored a scored a short film
screenwriting gig out of it. The same producer is looking at all of my scripts.
I found a pool of actors to possibly work with for my short film Rain Down On
Me. Still another director there asked to see You’re the Reason. An actress
wants to work with me.

People wanted to talk to me after the
awards ceremony. It was crazy. I even sold 13 copies of Letters to Daniel the
book and several of the documentary.

Talk about a film festival that
delivered on every level. I can only hope I can repeat the fete again next
year.

Being paid to write has always been a dream of mine and 500 dollars
equals my monthly income, well almost monthly income.

And right before I jaunted off to
Hudson, OH for my trip to Indie Gathering I sent your publicist my documentary
and memoir. Those things scored me the screenwriting gig.

I wouldn’t have had as much fun as I did
if it weren’t for my Aunt Sue. Aka Brenda Sue Duffey. She did the heavy lifting
of that Missy and Pam usually do. She loaded the carts pushed them to the room
and car. We sat up the table together.

While the convention itself leaves much
to be desired the fact I moved as much as I did lets you know I really worked
it to move the copies. I pitched to everyone who listened I had a guest of
honor’s guest turn his nose up at me and give me 30secs to pitch Letters to
Daniel to him. He was a total ass. But I figure by pitching I just got practice
in and it tortured him a little bit in the process. Win/win. LOL.

I met a really nice couple Rich and Jodi
whose film Confidential won 1st place in their category. They even
bought my books and documentary and my aunt’s book.

I really wish perhaps people could have
seen all that I did, experienced all that I did. Having never received hardware
for my creative work it was nice receiving it and applause for the work I do
with Missy away from anyone’s attention.

Making connections was fantastic. The
only thing better will be Imaginarium, when the film premieres. I have three
free badges. I know it’s corny and I know you have no clue I exist. Or even
that this blog exists but those badges are going to waste. I’d like to invite
you and your family to Imaginarium to see the film and be special guests at the
Convention and Film Festival.

I know you have a million things going
on in your career and life but I just wanted to put that out there. Because it
seems your work has inspired me to breakthrough not just in my literary career,
but to start busting through in my screenwriting and filmmaking career as well.

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

I have returned from Fandom Fest. Was it
as huge as last year was for me? Yes and no. Yes because I had double digit
sales overall, 22 books. I sold out of two titles and almost a third. I sold
one set of my Gemini Rising series books. And a copy of mine and Missy’s When
Doves Cry.

Nice.

We lost the screenwriting competition.
Not so nice.

The panels went well. Nice.

Sucky sales Friday and Saturday. Awesome
sales Sunday. A man from Bayou Con committee took my card for possible
inclusion as a guest at their show. Very nice.

Being out of shape and being forced to
walk all over freaking creation and having my leg cramp up on me?

Not so nice.

But all in all the show ran smoother. It
was nice and cold in the vendor hall. The set up was better and at least there
was an awards ceremony this year even if Missy and me didn’t win.

Also in the nice category, Pam sold out
of her The Ripper’s Daughter paranormal, historical, mystery with horror
elements novel. And Missy and I managed to move one copy of When Doves Cry.

I came to the conclusion Saturday night
that perhaps Fandom was getting to expensive for me. Which puts me on the line
about attending as a participant next year. I wonder if I go next year it will
be as a spectator. What with the film taking off to some degree it makes me
think that festivals are more of a fit. But then, Fandom Fest is home. It’s
where I got my start, these last two years have been breakthrough on the sales
front. To abandon it would be ridiculous. To stay without some need being met
is no better.

I’m used to traveling with Pam and
Missy. Having one chair means I have no back up crew where it comes to setting
up. I know that sounds selfish but it keeps the event from becoming too much.
Being crammed in at a six foot table doesn’t sound all that fantastic but if I
could finagle an extra chair next year I would have at least Missy to help me.

Which makes me feel bad about Pam
because we’ve become something of a traveling trio. Seeing two of us without
the third is odd.

But coming up is Indie Gathering. I am
forced onto a Greyhound because no one really wants or can make the trip. But
that’s okay. That’s life. Missy was disappointed at Fandom. She wanted to hear her name called. She wondered what I
was going to say. I figured out how to work the camcorder on the phone so I
will record the awards ceremony, or at least the portions where our names are
going to be called. And that night I will put it up on the internet so that
Missy can wake up to five awards being awarded to her.

I think for me, the Fright Night loss put
Indie Gathering into a whole new light as to just how special our
accomplishment at IG is. 5 out 5 awards. 4 screenplays and 1 film, the
documentary all scored a win of some sort. Two second places and three
honorable mentions. Awesome. Two trophies. Three medals. Even better. Say a
prayer Missy gets Sunday off so that she can ride up to Hudson and accept the
awards with me and hear her name called for herself.

Anyway, Fandom is ground zero where this
stuff is concerned and I guess I will always have a soft spot for it.

Amy Unplugged

Letters:the Memoir

From: The Author, To: Daniel Craig

Dear Readers,

Daniel Craig is my favorite actor. His work and acting style and how he carries himself professionally and personally inspire me greatly. Or more simply put by Kevin Smith about The Book Of Mormon Musical, he is my Spirit Animal. This blog is my memoirs as told to a silent witness of my choosing, Daniel. And of course all of you who visit daily to see me battle bipolar disorder, my dysfunctional family, or my personal demons. Or better, on my good days thanking those who have truly been my guardian angels. I thank you all who come and bear silent witness or sometimes leave a comment or two. Perhaps one day I will meet my hero, and get to thank him in person.